WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 9436 · 119th Congress

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

Passed HouseAnimals
IntroducedJun 24, 2026
Passed HouseSep 1, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 14, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The House passed it 219–196. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 9436 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Sep 14, 2026).

16 U.S.C. 1387 Taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 16 U.S.C. 1387changedby H.R. 9436 Sec. 2

    The bill says: Section 101 of division JJ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (16 U.S.C. 1387 note) is amended by striking "2028" each place it appears and inserting "2035".

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 1387)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

This bill extends the deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations that protect the endangered Atlantic large whale from certain lobster and crab fishing gear. Under current law, the new regulations must include requirements for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to utilize existing and innovative fishing gear technologies as appropriate to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in their gear.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Aug 27, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Sep 14, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Senate
  2. Sep 1, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Sep 1, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 196 (Roll no. 291). (text: CR H5395) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Sep 1, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 196 (Roll no. 291). (text: CR H5395) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Sep 1, 2026On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 202 - 212 (Roll no. 290). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  6. Sep 1, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5408-5409)House floor actions
  7. Sep 1, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 9436, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Dingell demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  8. Sep 1, 2026The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.House floor actions
  9. Sep 1, 2026Mrs. Dingell moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H5401)House floor actions
  10. Sep 1, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  11. Sep 1, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 9436.House floor actions
  12. Sep 1, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.House floor actions
  13. Sep 1, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1499. (consideration: CR H5395-5401)House floor actions
  14. Aug 31, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1499 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H. Res. 1490 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, H.Res. 1490, and H.R. 4795 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit on H.R. 1501, H.R. 9436, and H.R. 4795.House floor actions
  15. Aug 27, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 667.House floor actions
  16. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-766.House floor actions
  17. Aug 27, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-766.Library of Congress
  18. Jul 15, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 - 13.House committee actions
  19. Jul 15, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  20. Jun 24, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
  21. Jun 24, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  22. Jun 24, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Sep 1, 2026 · HousePassed 219–196
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 209 yes, 2 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 10 yes, 193 noEach member · Record
1 other recorded vote (procedure and amendments)
  1. Sep 1, 2026 · HouseFailed 202–212
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks no, Zachary Nunn no
    On Motion to Recommit · needed a majority
    R 0 yes, 209 noI 0 yes, 1 noD 202 yes, 2 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Jared F. Golden D-ME-2